Types of animal fats

Human nutrition

Heart disease is a more common cause of death than starvation as far as human nutrition is concerned. Animal fats are associated with a high level of blood cholesterol, which is often linked to the onset of heart disease. There have also been studies that high amounts of animal fat could increase the risk of breast cancer (as well as other cancers).

Alternatives

Many vegetable oils or vegetable-based broths can be used to replace animal fats in a diet.

Typically, one can also use synthetic ingredients as a substitute for many animal fat products.

The only way to safely know whether one is consuming or using products derived from animal fats is to consult any of the comprehensive vegan or vegetarian resource guides available on the Internet and familiarize oneself with the terminology used to refer to animal fat products (other than specific names). From that point, product ingredient items will allow one to determine a product's contents.